TMV03-Suspension systems
Teacher’s guide
  1. Objectives

The objectives in this AF are:

  • Know the terminology about vehicles, in this case, about the suspension part.
  • Read, translate and listen texts, documentation and conversations about it.
  • If it is necessary, write texts relating with the work in the garage as forms and estimates or invoices.
  • Applyprofessionalattitudes and behavioursincommunicating situations, following international conventions.
  1. Use of materials and teacher´s recommendations

The materials of this unitwill be used​​by the teachersof the Departmentof Transport andvehicle maintenance.
They will alsobe used as workshop manualsandothertechnical documentationin English.

In addition,onlinetranslators are used:

  1. Methodology

There will be explanations in the classroom and work content explained by oral and written exercises and practices. For certain content taught in the computer lab where they allow students seeking technical information in English as well as the use of simultaneous translators.
In all cases audiovisual material is used to fill the theoretical explanations improving the understanding.
The teacher's role is to serve as a source of linguistic information for students (the interaction is in English), organize and manage the work in the classroom, and promote a positive attitude towards the English language and culture.
Since language learning is learning to communicate with it, it is vital that the learning process is done in a relaxed atmosphere conductive to the development of both receptive skills (reading and listening) and the productive (speaking and writing). Oral skills should have a role. Oral production errors are considered as part of the natural process and will endeavor not to interrupt the speeches while language is fluid and communication is not seen seriously affected. The basic communication and understanding is the first objective.

  1. Timing

The time devoted to each Unit will be the following:

  • Unit 1: 3 hours
  • Unit 2: 3 hours
  • Unit 3: 4 hours
  1. Evaluation

The evaluation criteria are:

  • Extract specific information messages related to common aspects of professional and everyday vehicles.
  • Identify main ideas of a speech about familiar topics in the field of electromechanical and automotive field, transmitted by the media and broadcast in standard language and clearly articulated.
  • Recognize the signs and follow oral instructions
  • Read for comprehension texts in clear standard language in the field of electromechanical and car´s body.
  • Relate the text field of the profession referred.
  • Identify technical terminology used.
  • Interpret manuals, magazines, etc... technicians employed in the transport sector and vehicle maintenance .
  • Make text translations of the scope of the electromechanical and automotive maintenance language using standard support materials if necessary.
  • Interpret the message received through various means: email , fax , email, and more.
  • Select material and technical dictionaries and uses supports translation and technical translation tools assisted or automated texts.
  • Describe brief and unexpected events related to the development of their daily activities.
  • Lists basic activities of professional work.
  • Describe the process and sequence of work.
  • Justify the acceptance or rejection of proposals made.
  • Argue choosing a particular option or work procedure chosen.
  • Write short texts related to everyday aspects and / or professional activities in the transport sector and vehicle maintenance.
  • Apply established formula and vocabulary in completing documents professionally.

These criteria will be assessed as follows:

  • Written test corresponding to the theoretical.
  • Written test corresponding to the practical content.
  • Practical tests in the classroom and in the computer.
  • Reports relating to practices considered.

The weighting of each of the tests to obtain the grade of the training activity is as follows:

  • 60%: Tests relating to the valuation of the theoretical. (written test)
  • 40%: Tests relating to the assessment of practical content. (written test, practice tests and practice reports)
  1. Exercise Solutions of the Units

Unit 1: Car suspension

1.3 Quiz

Find the images on this quiz. You can use the above references.

S / H / O / C / K / A / B / S / O / R / V / E / R / E
P / S / G / U / O / S / E / D / T / F / I / D / F / X
R / F / O / W / S / Y / D / N / W / U / O / I / K / O
I / U / B / D / I / P / I / U / R / D / Q / R / E / D
N / J / H / B / K / O / F / P / K / I / O / R / D / K
G / O / U / O / J / Q / O / I / M / Y / K / F / O / B
P / H / D / L / T / I / F / F / C / F / K / G / P / V
O / B / L / A / O / F / R / O / N / T / A / X / L / E
G / A / M / G / L / K / R / W / T / O / F / K / Q / V
B / D / R / Y / R / A / B / N / O / I / S / R / O / T

1.4 Working at the garage

Now, try to find each term on the left with the verb on the right. You may use working to describe the action you have to do with it.

Spring / Compress
Shock absorber / Change
Stabilizer bar / Disassemble
McPherson / Adjust
Spring compressor / Tighten/Loosen

Unit 2: Industrial vehicle suspension

1.2 Vocabulary practice

How many types of industrial vehicles do you know? Try to show it! Match the pictures with the names.

Vehicle / Picture
Van /
Trailer /
Coach /
Dumper /
Concrete truck /
Lorry/Truck /

If you know more, write down and make a little description to your class.

  • Free answer

1.3 Grammar

Now some prepositions! Put some of these prepositions in the right place according to the pictures.

in - on - in front of - over - under – between – on the right – on the left – near to - behind

1-The spring is_____over______the car.

2-The shock absorbers are ______under______the car.

3-The leaf springs are ______in front of______the car.

4-The car is ______between______leaf springs and the air spring.

5-The air spring is ______behind______the car.

6-The car is ____on the left______of the leaf springs.

7-The car is _____on the right______of the air spring.

Unit 3: Motorbike supension

2. Vocabulary practice

Write the definition of these items of the vocabulary over the exercise.

  • Spring: A spring is an elastic object used to store mechanical energy. Springs are usually made out of spring steel. Small springs can be wound from pre-hardened stock, while larger ones are made from annealed steel and hardened after fabrication.
  • Shock absorber: Pneumatic and hydraulic shock absorbers are used in conjunction with cushions and springs. An automobile shock absorber contains spring-loaded check valves and orifices to control the flow of oil through an internal piston (see below).
  • Suspension fork:The fork is a simply large hydraulic shock absorber with internal coil springs.
  • Swing arm: The motorcycle swing arm is a quadrilateral, with one short side connected to the motorcycle's frame with bearings so that it can pivot. The other short side is the rear axle around which the rear wheel turns. The long sides are connected to the motorcycle's frame or rear sub-frame with one or two shocks with coil-over springs
  1. Reading

Now you are going to read a text about one of the most spectacular riders ever seen in the World championship of motorbikes. Read the text and complete the exercises under the text.

Kevin Schwantz

At the end of the 1984 season, he was offered a test ride with the YoshimuraSuzukiSuperbike team, who promptly signed the Texan to a contract. In his first race for Yoshimura, he won both legs of the 1985 Willow Springs AMASuperbike National. He finished seventh overall in the championship despite only competing in half the races. He finished second to Eddie Lawson in the 1986Daytona 200 on the new Suzuki GSX-R750. Then, in what would become an all too common occurrence throughout his career, he broke his collarbone in a qualifying crash and missed several races. Once again he finished seventh overall in the Championship.

The 1987 Superbike National Championship would be remembered by motorcycle fans as the beginning of Schwantz' fiercely competitive rivalry with Wayne Rainey. The two battled throughout the entire season, often coming into contact on the track. Rainey eventually won the National Championship but Schwantz closed out the season winning five out of six races. So intense was their rivalry that they continued their battle during the 1987 Trans-Atlantic Match Races in which they were supposedly team mates competing against a team of British riders.

Schwantz began 1988 by winning the season opening Daytona 200 in what would be his only win in that prestigious event. He then departed for Europe as Suzuki promoted him to its 500cc Grand Prix team where he made an immediate impact by winning the 1988 Japanese Grand Prix in the opening round at Suzuka, Japan (it was only his seventh Grand Prix ride in total, as he'd had wild card rides in 1986 on the old square four RG500 & 1987 on the first version of the V4 RGV500). His arch rival, Rainey would join him on the Grand Prix circuit, signing with the Team Roberts-Yamaha squad. For the next six years, the two would continue their intense rivalry on race tracks all across Europe. The late 1980s and early 1990s are remembered as one of the most competitive eras of Grand Prix racing with a field rich in talent that included Rainey, Wayne Gardner, Mick Doohan, Eddie Lawson and Randy Mamola. He was often at a disadvantage in that his Suzukis never seemed to be as fast as those of his Yamaha and Honda mounted rivals. His sheer determination to win at all cost meant that he seemed to crash as often as he won. This trait made him a popular favourite among race fans the world over. His last lap pass of Rainey to win the 1991 German Grand Prix at the Hockenheimring, with his rear tire fish-tailing on the verge of control, typified Schwantz' "do or die" riding style.

He culminated his career in 1993 by winning his first and only 500cc World Championship. After suffering through a crash infested 1994 season, the injuries he had incurred over the years began to take their toll on him, as did the career ending injuries suffered by his rival Rainey, at the 1993 Italian Grand Prix that left him paralyzed from the chest down. Early in the 1995 season, after a conversation with Rainey, Schwantz decided to retire from motorcycle competition. Schwantz had accumulated 25 Grand Prix wins during his career, one more than his great rival, Wayne Rainey.[1][4] This made him the second most successful American roadracer behind Eddie Lawson. In a rare display of respect, the FIM retired his racing number (34) as a testament to his popularity.

In the late 1990s Schwantz ran a couple of seasons of the Australian NASCAR Championship before returning home to the USA where for several years he competed in the NASCARBusch Series, running 18 races with 2 top tens, and touring car races. He currently owns and operates a motorcycle riding school in Birmingham, Alabama. Schwantz was inducted into the AMAMotorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999. The FIM named him a Grand Prix "Legend" in 2000.

Schwantz co-designed the Circuit of the Americas racetrack with Tavo Hellmund and with the assistance of German architect and circuit designer Hermann Tilke.

From: Wikipedia

  1. Comprehension
  1. Look for the definitions of these words of the text:
  • Promptly: Aviat
  • Collarbone: Clavícula
  • Rivalry: Rivalitat
  • Sheer: Pur
  • “Verge of control”: Punt de control
  1. Answer the next questions about the text:

a)Which year Kevin Schwantz won the 500c.c. World Championship?

1993

b)Where Schwantz and Rainey starred one of the most spectacular end of race ever seen?

Hockenheimring in Germany.

c)When he finished his career as a motorbike rider?

Early 1995

d)Which race track co designed with another important people?

The circuit of Americas

TMV03-Suspension systems / Teacher’s guide